I went to the Forbidden City on my second day in Beijing. It's immense - a little city built for royalty, surrounded by a moat and huge brick walls. For 500 years it was the exclusive home to the ruling emperors of China, now it's a massive museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking in through the south gate you enter into courtyard after sweeping courtyard, each divided by a great hall of some sort. I lost track of how many halls and courtyards I walked through, four maybe? Once you get towards the north end of the palace it transforms into a labyrinth, the halls and courtyards shrink and multiply, and doorways and walkways snake around revealing little gardens and shrines. Relics and artwork can be found on display inside numerous buildings and people stroll the grounds taking in the history, culture, and architecture. Good thing it's not forbidden anymore, it's not something you want to miss if you visit Beijing.
Good closing sentence!
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